Hollywood mogul Gary Barber, a leading international Thoroughbred owner for the last three decades, is the latest major player in Thoroughbred racing to become a supporter of the Water Hay Oats Alliance (WHOA).
International equine stars to carry Barber's distinctive pink silks include Canadian Champions Wonder Gadot and Lexi Lou, 2019 Preakness hero War of Will, 2019 Breeders' Cup Turf winning mare Belvoir Bay, 2016 Breeders' Cup Mile winner Tourist , 2015 Breeders Cup Juvenille Fillies Turf winner Catch a Glimpse, GR1 Fourstardave Handicap winner Got Stormy, GR1 Santa Anita Derby winner The Deputy, and GR1 Woodbine Mile hero Becrux.
Gary Barber and other members of WHOA back efforts for clean sport in U.S. racing. Since its founding in 2012, the grassroots organization has continued to grow support for federal legislation to bring uniformity in drug and medication rules across state lines and in sync with international standards. The Horseracing Integrity Act (HR1754/S1820) is now moving forward in the 116th Congress.
In a statement to WHOA, Barber commented "This is a critical time in our industry where we need to be united in our quest for uniformity and ensure a level playing field for all. I stand in solidarity with the Water Hay Oats Alliance in leading the charge for the passage of the Horseracing Integrity Act. It is vitally important for the health and safety of the horses and jockeys that we vocally show our collective support toward this urgent effort."
Barber is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Spyglass Media Group, LLC ("Spyglass,"), an independent premium content company focused on developing and producing motion pictures and television series across all platforms for worldwide audiences. Spyglass owns and controls a library of more than 250 Academy Award winning films, box office hits and television series including The King's Speech, The Artist, The Upside, Silver Linings Playbook, Paddington, Inglourious Basterds, Django Unchained, The Hateful Eight, Hellraiser, Scream and Project Runway.
Barber is renowned in the entertainment industry for taking the reins of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. in 2010 as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and leading its impressive transformational turn-around out of bankruptcy and into successive years of profitability. Previously, Barber co-founded Spyglass Entertainment and served as the Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Morgan Creek Productions.